A common Halloween concern, aside from the occasional ghoul and goblin, is the possibility of a child or family member being exposed to tainted candy. However, we recently came across some products and practices in the news that could present new concerns this Halloween. Here are a few that really stuck out: marijuana shaped candy, alcohol soaked gummies, and supercharged snack cakes.

Popular Pot Pops

The first story which comes out of Buffalo, New York describes the sale of candy, believe it or not, in the shape of a marijuana plant. The sale of these products, “Pot Pops,” “Potheads,” and “Ring Pots” were brought to the attention of local authorities by concerned citizens. And if the product name alone doesn’t light a spark then maybe the slogans will: Read more »

As a medical toxicologist, I see the effects of prescription pain medication abuse in teens and young adults on a daily basis. As a parent of a 10 and 12 year old, I worry about their future, peer pressure, and possibly their own involvement with medication abuse in junior high and high school.

Prescription drug abuse, especially narcotic medications, continues to be an ongoing and increasing problem in the U.S. Read more »

Unfortunately, many poison exposure incidents start with 3 little words: “I dare you…” A group of friends egging each other on, calling bravery into question (and often offering money if the dare is completed) can quickly turn a flippant suggestion into a potential medical emergency.

Here are some dares the IPC staff has consulted on:

A 40 year old male was dared to chew and swallow a lizard for $50. A live one. There is a reason we have the Brookfield Zoo’s senior reptile keeper’s phone number on our quick number list! Read more »

If you’ve been watching the news or reading the paper lately, you may have heard about a legal marijuana substitute known by names such as K2, space, spice, magic potpourri, and the like. The name K2 is presumed to be named after the real K2, a mountain in the Karakoram Range, that is the second highest peak on earth after Mt Everest.

The mountain is high, this fake weed gets you ‘high’…clever, eh? So what is this stuff anyway? Read more »